Comparative Development
![]() My dissertation research revolved around chimpanzee social and hormonal development with a focus on tracking sex differences in social strategies. The major aims of my project were to examine how androgen hormones, underlying differences in social attention, and social experience interact to shape male and female social behavior between infancy and adolescence.
To achieve this, I followed infant and juvenile chimpanzees of the Kanyawara community of chimpanzees at Kibale National Park, Uganda (see map at right), observing social interactions, collecting detailed data on gaze and attention, and opportunistically collecting urine samples for hormonal analysis. Yes, it is actually the best job. Now, I'm working with Dr. Martin Surbeck and the Pan Lab at Harvard University to add bonobos into the mix. We hope to compare developmental patterns in both species to gain a better understanding of how and why chimpanzees and bonobos grow into such different social worlds. |
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Watching and Learning
From very early on infant chimpanzees spend a lot of time watching other group members interact with each other and their environment. All this watching comprises one way that young chimpanzees might learn skills from what to eat to how to make tools to social customs. For instance, Buke (right) checks in with her older brother's grooming style as she works on her own skills.
From very early on infant chimpanzees spend a lot of time watching other group members interact with each other and their environment. All this watching comprises one way that young chimpanzees might learn skills from what to eat to how to make tools to social customs. For instance, Buke (right) checks in with her older brother's grooming style as she works on her own skills.
![]() The Importance of Playing
Infant and juvenile chimpanzees have a lot to learn about their social environments on the road to becoming successful adults. Play is one of the most common social interactions among young chimps and comprises one very important way that they can and practice skills behaviors and build bonds with other group members in preparation for navigating adult social interactions. My recent work studying play in adulthood revealed just how important play between mother and offspring is to chimpanzee development. Even when mothers might not have the extra energy for other types of social interactions, they still play with their infants! Though mother chimpanzees are generally their infants' first play partners, it is unlcear how playing with mothers helps to shape early social and physical development for young chimpanzees - and it's one of the topics that I'm working to unravel now! |